Call the Midwife: Episode 4.1
April 13, 2015 6:34 PM - Season 4, Episode 1 - Subscribe
New arrivals at Nonnatus House (and elsewhere), major life events (and not only for the expectant mothers), and an Antipodean connection that is the definition of bittersweet.
Whilst Sister Evangelina has health problems she grudgingly comes to admire Barbara Gilbert, replacement for Cynthia, for her tireless work with a new mother. Tom proposes to Trixie whilst the other nurses are concerned for the Teemans, a family of young children living in squalor, whose mother appears to have abandoned them and who are being raised by ten-year old Gary. When Gary is arrested for shop-lifting the nurses swing into action.
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From the Radio Times: "What was the Child Migrants Programme? Tonight's child neglect storyline ended on a sad note, but what would really have happened to Gary and his little sisters in those days?"
Whilst Sister Evangelina has health problems she grudgingly comes to admire Barbara Gilbert, replacement for Cynthia, for her tireless work with a new mother. Tom proposes to Trixie whilst the other nurses are concerned for the Teemans, a family of young children living in squalor, whose mother appears to have abandoned them and who are being raised by ten-year old Gary. When Gary is arrested for shop-lifting the nurses swing into action.
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From the Radio Times: "What was the Child Migrants Programme? Tonight's child neglect storyline ended on a sad note, but what would really have happened to Gary and his little sisters in those days?"
The ending was sort of a sucker-punch, wasn't it? Almost tauntingly so, and refusing a resolution in a way that they've seldom done up to now.
posted by Mogur at 9:06 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by Mogur at 9:06 AM on April 14, 2015
It's interesting: this show wants to show the consequences of terrible situations, but at the same time, it doesn't want things to get too dark, either. I'm not sure how successfully they're walking that tightrope.
I also don't miss Jenny Lee. But I do miss Chummy! I was hoping that she'd be the focus of this season, but I don't have high hopes given how she drove off in this episode.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:30 PM on April 14, 2015
I also don't miss Jenny Lee. But I do miss Chummy! I was hoping that she'd be the focus of this season, but I don't have high hopes given how she drove off in this episode.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:30 PM on April 14, 2015
Yeah, the bleakness of this ending is matched by bleakness in the other episodse, with bits of treacly sweet to try to make up for it. I agree - I don't think they're getting the tone quite right.
posted by ChuraChura at 3:01 PM on April 14, 2015
posted by ChuraChura at 3:01 PM on April 14, 2015
I actually think the tone is entirely accurate to a life in social services. Super dark moments abound, but then, a workday is a workday, and has its rewards.
posted by Miko at 7:14 PM on June 28, 2015
posted by Miko at 7:14 PM on June 28, 2015
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posted by ChuraChura at 9:04 AM on April 14, 2015